Kerry, 12 other counties ignored by IDA

Foreign companies appear to have little investment interest in Ireland outside of Dublin, according to at least one minister review first quarter statistics from IDA Ireland.

Fifty-three of 89 visits were in the capitol, while counties Carlow, Kerry, Kildare, Laois, Leitrim, Longford, Mayo, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford all failed to record an IDA-sponsored overseas investor in the first three months of the year. Counties Cavan, Kilkenny, Meath, and Westmeath recorded one visit each, while Clare, Donegal and Wicklow each had two, according to the Irish Independent.

“It is strikingly obvious that more needs to be done to achieve a greater balance in inward investment. The figures don’t represent where investment is going, but the reality is, that if you don’t show investors areas outside Dublin, they are not going to invest there,” said Fianna Fáil TD Michael McGrath of Cork.